trunk or 3.3 ?

Hi,

I'm new to Merlin but not new to some of its concepts (have been using 
cocoon intensively the last 18 months)

I would like to use Merlin because
a) it fits nicely with the things i learned while developing with cocoon
b) i think it would make a killer backend for any system that has cocoon 
servicing the view, pulling its data from merlin/avalon components.

Now, having read through the posts of the lasts couple of weeks I am a 
bit confused: is the 3.3 distro a good start to learn more or should i 
checkout the trunk as suggested in thread "Where to begin" a few weeks ago?

Secondly, is there a list of live-sites/products built with Merlin?

Thirdly, how mature is Merlin? Can it be used in its current state as 
the basis for a long-term project? How much of it is in flux and how 
much of it will be changing (user-visible) in the near future?


Sorry for these questions, just playing the "suspicious new customer" 
role here ;)


Thanks!
Jorg Heymans